Name of the Project
Berg River Voëlvlei Augmentation Scheme (BRVAS).

Location
Western Cape, South Africa.

Project Owner/s
The Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) will fund and implement the project on behalf of the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS). The water users will include the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality; the Drakenstein district municipality; the Bergrivier, Saldanha Bay, Swartland and Stellenbosch local municipalities; and the Lower Berg Irrigation Board.

Project Description
The BRVAS has been designated a Strategic Integrated Project by the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission.

It has been identified as the preferred option to augment the yield of the in-deficit Western Cape water supply system in the short term and will operate during the winter months, abstracting water from the Berg river and pumping it to the Voëlvlei dam.

The new scheme will augment the yield of the water supply system by 23-million cubic metres a year. The project includes:

•    abstraction works on the Berg river – a diversion weir, sediment traps and a 5 MW pumpstation;
•    6.3 km bulk water pipeline from the Berg river to Voëlvlei dam;
•    appurtenant works – a canoe-fishway chute, saddle embankment (flood-risk management) and access road;
•    electricity supply and associated installations to energise the new pumpstation; and
•    measures to mitigate the impact of the project on the environment.

Potential Job Creation
To be determined during the construction tender process.

Capital Expenditure
The project is estimated at R1.2-billion.

Planned Start/End Date
Project construction is planned to start in 2026.

Latest Developments
The TCTA has reported that good progress had been made during the 2023/24 financial review.

The negotiations with three lenders are at an advanced stage and the tender documents for the professional service provider for the detailed design have been issued and are being evaluated.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Amanzi Entaba Joint Venture, or AEJV – a joint venture between Bigen Africa Group Holdings, Nyeleti Consulting and Gibb Holdings (consulting services).

Contact Details for Project Information
TCTA, tel +27 12 683 1200 or email info@tcta.co.za.
TCTA head of communication Wanda Mkutshulwa, cell +27 82 908 2692 or email wmkutshulwa@tcta.co.za.
TCTA media liaison officer Luzamo Sandlana, cell +27 82 803 1634 or email Lsandlana@tcta.co.za.
TCTA project manager Constance Ramagoma, email cramagoma@tcta.co.za.